2005 09 30

FRIDAY

Optimist the

September 30, 2005

www.acuoptimist.com

Crossing over

People of all Shades

‘Corpse’ come to life

The Wildcats play their final conference crossover game Saturday, page 10

Shades step squad adds people of several ethnic backgrounds, page 3

Director Tim Burton goes back to his clay animation roots in Corpse Bride, page 7

‘Seussical’ stays on schedule n Despite losing several months of time after changing musicals in August, Adam Hester said rehearsals are going well in preparation for the Oct. 14-16 Homecoming shows.

By JACI SCHNEIDER Copy Editor

Actors in the Homecoming musical have been cramming

Officials relocate hurricane evacuees n The 45 remaining evacuees staying in the G.V. Daniels Recreation Center moved to the Salvation Army; about 80 have moved home or to other housing.

By SARAH CARLSON Arts Editor

About 120 Hurricane Rita evacuees arrived at the G.V. Daniels Recreation Center on Saturday, but many have moved back home or to more permanent housing. The remaining 45 evacuees were relocated Thursday to The Salvation Army on Butternut Street.

The evacuees arrived early Saturday morning by bus and were greeted by city officials, community members and ACU faculty and students.

Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, said at least 150 students helped prepare the shelter for the evacuees and manned it around the clock.

Students began working in two- to four-hour shifts of six to eight, cleaning the shelter, making beds, playing with children, talking with parents and making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

“I’ve heard nothing but praise and thanks from city officials for what our students have done,” Barnard said. “They’re blown away.

Every time I go to the shelter, they always stop me and say ‘You’ve got the best students.’”

Barnard said Cory Bourg, director of ARAMARK food service, coordinated the ARAMARK services at ACU, McMurry University and Hardin Simmons University to feed the families twice a day while the local restaurants fed them in the evening.

Sharon Allen donated meals for 200 people both Saturday and Sunday night from Lytle Land and Cattle and her new restaurant, Sharon Allen’s Barbecue, respectiveSee

Vol. 94, No. 13 1 section, 10 pages

SHELTERS page 8

for weeks, but their study material is unusual for college students: Dr. Seuss books.

And their final test isn’t really a typical exam; it’s a musical: Seussical the Musical.

Students in the Theatre Department have been rehearsing for the musical since the first week of school, when Adam Hester, chair of the de-

partment, announced that Seussical would replace Aida as the Homecoming musical.

The department changed the musical this summer after controversy erupted about the casting of a white actress for the lead role of an African woman in Aida.

However, Hester said in an e-mail, that since the new mu-

sical was announced, the controversy has died down, and the cast of Seussical has been busy rehearsing.

Although the directors and cast lost several months of planning and rehearsals with the changes of musicals, Hester said everything is on track See

Homecoming Musical ticketing information Tickets for the Homecoming Musical, Seussical, can be purchased by calling Ext. 2787.

• Prices range from $5 to $18 • Show times are at 8 p.m. on Oct. 14 and 15 and 2 p.m. on Oct. 15 at the Abilene Civic Center.

SEUSSICAL page 8

Going his own way

Sports receive support from SA n The new committee will work with the Athletic Department and sports teams to determine how students can become more involved in supporting athletics.

By TIFFANY TAYLOR Features Editor

n Aaron Bell wanted to spend his summer “living adventurously,” so he sailed in Honduras, traveled around Central America and hitchhiked across the country.

By MALLORY SHERWOOD Managing Editor

It wouldn’t have been a normal summer for most people, but for Aaron Bell sailing in Honduras, backpacking through Central America and hitchhiking across the United States and Canada was just another collection of stories to add to the rest of his adventures.

“I think I would just call it living,” Bell said, “or maybe living adventurously.”

His summer began when a family he met while hitchhiking in Key West, Fla., last summer invited him to sail with them along the Honduran coast.

The family was sailing around the world from New Zealand when he met them more than a year ago. Bell said he had no idea how long they had been sailing but that after their sail through Honduras, they would only have a year and a half left of their journey.

Happy for a place to begin his own journey, Bell agreed and set off three days after finals ended in May to sail in Honduras for five weeks.

Bell, junior communication major from Van, began traveling like this beginning at age 18, when he drove with a group of friends to California, so he knew what to pack. In his book bag he packed three shirts, two pairs of shorts, water shoes, snorkeling gear and four books he would later trade throughout his journey for books from other travelers at hostels in Central America.

While other students furiously hunted for jobs and saved money, Bell learned to sail a 50-foot sailboat, tutored two elementary girls in math, saw mountains on the coastline, swam 60 feet under turquoise water, watched

Photo illustration by ANNa Carroll/Staff Photographer

Aaron Bell, junior communication major from Van, spent part of his summer hitchhiking across the United States after sailing in Honduras and backpacking around Central America.

“A lot of people think they need to work to make money they are just going to waste on other things. It’s a matter of priorities.”

Aaron Bell, junior communication major from Van, about why he chose to spend his summer traveling

eight killer whales swim beside the sailboat, was chased by four pit bulls off the coast of the president of Honduras’ island and was certified in scuba diving.

“What else would I do?

Work? No,” Bell said. “A lot of people think they need to work to make money they are just going to waste on other things.

It’s a matter of priorities.”

Central American escapades From Honduras, Bell traveled to Guatemala, backpacking by himself for two weeks until he met up with a friend.

Kyle Wheeler, from North Greenville College in Tigerville, S.C., the school Bell attended his freshman year, joined Bell in Costa Rica

half way through the trek.

“This is what we do,” Wheeler said. “We don’t want to get jobs for the summer, so we travel.”

Bell said the buses are cheap enough in Central America and that there aren’t many cars for hitchhiking, so he could afford to travel by bus.

See

BELL page 8

University athletics will receive a boost from the Students’ Association through a recently approved athletics committee, which will work to increase student involvement in athletic events.

The new committee will work with the university’s Athletics Department and individual sports teams to find ways students can become more involved in supporting the teams and how SA can better promote sporting events.

After addressing the need for SA’s involvement in promoting university athletics during a SA meeting last year, COBA Rep. Paul Harshman discussed the issue over the summer with vice president Melanie Booker, Harshman said.

Harshman’s suggestion came at the perfect time, Booker said, because the executive officers had already been discussing ideas for promoting athletics. Although Booker has been a strong supporter of athletics, and the committee has considered an executive committee, Booker said she will not chair it. She already chairs the constituent relations committee and decided she would rather help Harshman, Booker said.

“ACU sports teams are doing great things. We need to support them,” Harshman said.

Vague issues such as school pride and student interest will be hard to affect, Harshman said. However, he and Booker create a list of ideas for the upcoming year to give the committee direction.

He has considered incentives, including free T-shirts, crazy half-time contests and give-aways through local businesses. He also wants the committee to form a rowdy group of students to attend each sporting event and lead cheers, with the hope of increasing crowd spirit, Harshman said.

The committee also plans to ask social clubs and stuSee

SPIRIT page 8

Students select queen nominees n About 400 students nominated women for Homecoming queen last week before the 10 finalists were chosen. Students can vote for the winner online Oct. 5-7.

By JONATHAN SMITH Editor in Chief

After being kidnapped, blindfolded and taken to a central location Wednesday night, 10 women removed their blindfolds to discover they would be this year’s Homecoming queen nominees.

Betsey Craig, coordinator of Queen’s Activities during Homecoming, said surprising the nominees is a long standing tradition.

“It’s a lot of fun for everyone, especially as the nominees learn who else is on the court,” Craig said.

Almost 400 students nominated women during the past week before the 10 with the most nominations were chosen.

Students will have an opportunity to vote online at www.acu. edu/queen Oct. 5-7 to select the

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

Homecoming queen.

Members of the Queen’s Activities committee went around campus and town Wednesday night to pick up each nominee and brought them back to the Alumni Relations Office.

Jessica Masters, senior English major from Tallahassee, Fla., said she was not sure what to think when several people dressed in camouflage came into her Tri Kappa Gamma club meeting. But when they announced she would be a Homecoming queen nominee before

Inside the Optimist

Turn to page 3 for a complete list of the Homecoming queen nominees

blindfolding her and taking her away, Masters said it came as a shock.

“I was kind of nervous because I didn’t know what was happening,” Masters said. “I’m honored I get to represent my club and student body.”

Evan Lindsay, independent studies major from Houston See

QUEEN page 3

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Homecoming queen nominees Camile Jackson, senior human development and family studies major from Abilene, Abra Barker, senior integrated marketing and communication major from Flower Mound, and Meg Goggin, senior history major from Fort Worth, wait to discover who else has been nominated Wednesday.

Abilene Christian University

Serving the ACU community since 1912

Campus

Day

Friday, September 30, 2005

30

Calendar & Events Friday

Freshman Follies 7 and 9 p.m., Cullen Auditorium.

Poetry Night 7-9:30 p.m., Bean Sprout.

01

Saturday

Freshman Follies 1, 3 and 7 p.m., Cullen Auditorium.

02

Sunday

Nothing is scheduled for this day.

03

Monday

Sundaes on Mondays, 7-9 p.m., Hilton Room.

Wellness Week begins.

Volunteer Opportunities An elderly lady, who has just moved into Wesley Court Retirement Center, has urgent need of a volunteer to help her unpack boxes. For more information, contact Jennifer at 437-1184 and ask to have her paged.

T h e M o m s & To t s Program at HSU`s Friendship House needs a volunteer babysitter from 9:30-10:45 a.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.

Big Brothers Big Sisters needs volunteers to work on an art project with a child for one hour each week. The deadline to sign up is Oct. 10. Contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center, Julie Owen or Amanda Brough at 677-7839 for more information.

Volunteers are needed to help with the American Heart Saturday. For more information, contact Frann Smith at 627-0070 or come by the Volunteer and Service-

Learning Center.

The Red Cross will be conducting a four-session disaster training in October beginning Oct. 10. There is no charge for these sessions but you must pre-register. Upon completion of all four sessions, volunteers will be certified to join disaster response teams through the American Red Cross. For more information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.

Service Saturday is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8. Sign ups will be Tuesday, Oct. 4-7 in the Campus Center ticket windows from 11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m.

Parents of Children with Down Syndrome is seeking vol­unteers to help with child care during support group meetings. Meetings are 6:458:15 p.m. Wednesdays at the Women`s Center of Abilene Re­gional Medical Center. For more information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout.

04

Tuesday

Wellness Week: Spiritual, 11 a.m.1:30 p.m., mall area, Living Room and Hilton Room.

05

Wednesday

Wellness Week: Emotional, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Chapel, mall area and Living Room.

Announcements Do not click on links that you receive via AOL Instant Messenger, even if they come from someone that you know.

Doing so could download a virus to your computer that is not detectable by most virus scanners. For more information, contact Team55 at Ext. 5555 or the Help desk at 738-4357.

Sundaes on Mondays has been postponed until 7 p.m.

Monday in the Living Room, For more information, contact La Shae Grottis at Ext. 6562.

Insanity For Humanity!

Habitat House Kickoff party at 5 p.m. Friday at 2966 Orange Street. For more information contact Jake Roseberry at jhr02a@ acu.edu.

International Rescue Com­ mittee needs volunteers to mentor refugee families who have recently moved to Abilene.

For more information, contact

Debi Wheeler at 675-5643 Ext. 12.

Prayer Room is open to all students during chapel on Mondays and Tuesdays for chapel credit until the end of the semester in Gibson room 230. For more information, e-mail James Rhea at jcr04a@acu.edu.

Volunteers are needed to help with the American Heart Saturday. For more information, contact Frann Smith at 6270070 or come by the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.

There will be a training session for Macs 3-5 p.m. Oct. 4 in room 327 Administration Building. Joshua Tooley will present.

Microsoft Word Intermediate will be Oct. 5, from 9-11 a.m. in the Library 3rd floor lab. A Webmail class will be offered Oct. 7, from 910 a.m. in the Library 3rd floor lab.

Call or e-mail Kristy Strickland to register.

About This Page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities.

Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor, ACU Box 27892, Abilene, TX 79699.

To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style.

Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.

Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:

27 43

CAMPUS NEWS

Friday, September 30, 2005

Page 3

Shades adds color

One-man band

n Shades added new members to the step squad Sept. 16, choosing members based on talent and the women’s ability to perform with a group.

By MALLORY SHERWOOD Managing Editor

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Tanner Smith, freshman foreign language major from Augusta, Maine, plays a guitar and harmonica while sitting on a Kojie Park bench. Smith said he was just in the mood to play music outside.

Gas prices hard to predict n Congress has been called upon to investigate the fluctuating gas prices that have kept some students from their travel plans and watching their car’s gas meter.

By RACHEL LAU Student Reporter

The relief students felt when Hurricane Rita spared many oil refineries in the Gulf coast last week might be offset by recent increases in gas prices this week.

Although prices rose in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, they dropped after Rita weakened.

However, prices have slowly begun rising again. According to the Energy Information Administration, Texas had a state average of $2.738 for regular gasoline as of Monday. One year ago, the average was $1.81.

Murphy USA, a gas station near Super Wal-mart, saw a 10-cent overnight increase in their price Wednesday and is now $2.74. Competing nearby is the Skinny’s gas station now at $2.75. The Shell station on Judge Ely stands at a higher rate of $2.89.

Earlier this year in March,

people started worrying when the gas prices neared $2. The prices this week, however high they seem, are somewhat of a relief after threatening to push the $3 mark a month ago.

One of the reasons gas prices have risen is because Katrina and Rita damaged some refineries along the coastal region.

According to CNN.com, Texas is the largest oil refiner in the country, and according to the U.S. Department of Energy, pumps more than quarter of the total oil refined in the country. About 30 percent of refining industries shut down in anticipation of Rita and according to foxnews.com, dealers are anticipating an easier recovery for the oil industry.

At the university, students are finding ways to avoid driving to save on gas money.

Jeremy Cox, junior family studies major from Houston, said he barely drives at all these days and tries to take his motorcycle as often as possible.

Cox says gas prices lately have frustrated him.

“I think the government should cover some of the expenses to bring the prices

down,” he said.

Some people are beginning to worry that oil companies are price gouging and profiteering.

According to foxnews.com, John B. Townsend, spokesman for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said retail gas prices are increasing faster than crude oil prices. Although oil prices are rising, profits from the increased prices are also growing; U.S. Congress has been asked to investigate the matter.

However, Bethany Allen, junior history major from Abilene, said that she was glad to see the prices go up.

“The U.S. has artificially low gas prices as compared to other countries, which means we use more, and it’s bad for the environment,” she said.

A representative from Murphy USA gas station said he doesn’t know what to anticipate.

“I don’t have any idea about the future,” he said. “Every day, it seems like there’s a change in our prices. I just know that these guys try to be the cheapest, the price leader. They just try to do a nice clean business.”

E-mail Lau at: rhl02a@acu.edu

Shades found the true meaning it its name as seven new members were added to the step squad Sept. 16, allowing the 24-member club to include members from Latino, Filipino, African-American, Japanese and Caucasian descent.

“Shades is really starting to be what it was intended to be,” said Marie Thomas, Shades adviser and Nelson Hall residence director. “It is meant for all shades of people, and finally in the past few years we are becoming a mixture of people.”

More than 36 students ranging from freshmen to graduate students tried out before a panel of judges, but most had to be cut.

Thomas said judges were asked to consider precision,

technique, cohesiveness with the other members, the ability to recover quickly and personality when selecting members.

Nichelle Wall, Shades head captain and clinical psychology graduate student agreed.

“We look at their personality and see if it matched how we are,” Wall said. “We are fun, we like to laugh and joke around. Their talent comes second because if they can’t dance and step in sync then it defeats the purpose.”

Students who auditioned were taught the moves to a step routine and a choreographed hip-hop piece and then they had four days to practice before they performed in front of the judges’ panel “Tryouts went surprisingly smooth,” said Sarah Eligado, women’s co-captain and sophomore nursing major from San Jose, Calif., in an e-mail. “The new members this year are a great addition to our squad. It makes me happy that they get this opportunity to experience what Shades is, beyond stepping and dancing.”

Eligado joined Shades last

Queen: Nominees surprised at choice Continued from page 1 and president of Sigma Theta Chi whose mother also was nominated as Homecoming queen in 1978, said she wasn’t sure what to think when people came to take her.

“I had no idea when the girls came in the room to kidnap me,” Lindsay said. “I actually thought that I was in trouble for something.”

Gentry Rush, senior marketing major from Lewisville and president of Alpha kai Omega, said she was surprised to be chosen.

“I am not really the Home-

coming queen type at all,” Rush said. “I was shocked and honored to be nominated. It was really out of nowhere.”

Craig said nominees will be introduced briefly during Chapel on Friday, then formally introduced during Homecoming Chapels on Oct. 14-15. During Homecoming, they will ride in the Homecoming Parade and participate in the Queen’s Tea, which will be with the queen nominees from 10 years ago. The winner will be announced at halftime of the football game at Shotwell Stadium.

E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu

fall as a freshman and has loved being a part of it.

“I had never done step before, and I thought that maybe I could give it a shot,” Eligado said. “To this day, I have come to know that Shades is more than just a squad, but a family.”

Others agreed.

“Our motto is to be a family,” Wall said. “We can talk to each other about anything, and we’re there for each other.”

She also said that Shades is more than a step squad.

“A lot of people don’t know that we work with Community in Schools,” Wall said. “We work to teach at-risk kids how to step and we try to be role models for them.”

Now, Shades is working on its step routine for the Homecoming Parade and for its production in November.

“I have a feeling our audience is going to be surprised when they see what we have put together this semester,” Eligado said.

E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu

Homecoming queen Nominees • Abra Barker, integrated marketing communication major from Flower Mound.

• Meg Goggin, history major from Fort Worth.

• Camile Jackson, human development and family studies major from Abilene.

• Alex Lewis, communication major from Lake Jackson • Evan Lindsay, independent studies major from Houston.

• Jessica Masters, English major from Tallahassee, Fla. • Jamie Pineda, psychology major from Abilene • Gentry Rush, marketing major from Lewisville • April Ward, journalism major from Big Spring • Kelci Young, integrated marketing communication major from Spring Hill, Tenn.

CAMPUS NEWS

Page 4

Friday, September 30, 2005

Ethnos: Culture Show prepares for production n More than 90 students are al­ready working on preparing the Cul­ture Show for November, which is expected to involve the audience and have more humor.

By KAYLA ANDERSON Student Reporter

The International Students’ Association is already working on this year’s Culture Show, even though it is still two months away.

The Culture Show is scheduled to take place Nov. 18-19 in Cullen Auditorium, both nights having a 7 p.m. show. A

third show might be added on Nov. 19 at 5 p.m.

Members of ISA are working now on finalizing the script and developing advertisements, said Stewart Stevens, director of the show.

Auditions for individual and group acts will be Oct. 12.

Eduardo Modenessy, assistant director of the Culture Show, said he is looking for acts that showcase culture rather than just individual talent.

About 90 people are working on the show now said Stevens, senior intercultural communication and Bible ma-

jor from Ruston, La. Stevens is the first Culture Show director who is not an international student.

“We can always use more workers, whether you’re an international student or not,” Stevens said. “I’m a white American, for crying out loud.

“I’ve hung out with people just like me all my life. You go through your life and you normally hang out with the people that you’re used to,” Stevens said. “I really want to encourage people to see the rest of the world and see how the rest of the world sees them.”

ISA has produced the Culture Show for many years, but its format changed significantly three years ago, Stevens said. Before 2003, the Culture Show was simply a talent show. Carlos Macias, the director in 2003, decided to include a storyline and called the show “Ethnos: The Hero.”

Since then, each show has gone under the title Ethnos.

The directors are finalizing the storyline for this year’s show, but it will focus on choice and demonstrate God’s design in diversity, Stevens said.

“I want people to really see

Wellness Week begins Oct. 4 n The Counseling Center will of­ fer students four days to learn a­­ bout aspects of wellness, as well as the opportunity to participate in activities and attend events.

By MICHAEL KNUTZ Student Reporter

Wellness Week 2005 will begin next week at various locations on campus and will inform students about the importance of being spiritually, emotionally and physically well.

Wellness Week will begin Tuesday and last until Oct. 7, according to a Counseling Center flyer. Students may stop by booths in the Campus Center, Hilton Room and Living Room to learn more about what it means to be well.

Tuesday through Thursday of Wellness Week will focus on spiritual, emotional and physical wellness. It will

conclude Oct. 7 with Unstressed Day, which will be a time of recreation for the students and faculty. Students will have the opportunity to participate in many exciting events in front of Moody Coliseum, including a dunking tank, rock wall, bouncing boxing and many other activities.

Students who stop by the booths and vote on which booth they like the best will have the opportunity to win one of many prizes. Steve Rowlands, director of the Counseling Center, said prizes include an MP3 player, Wal-mart girt certificates and movie passes.

Students will station some of the booths and they will provide student-to-student contact, which is more beneficial to students who are seeking help or information, Rowlands said.

“We want to make this

holistic and involve as many people as possible,” Rowlands said.

Wellness Week is “a week for just providing information and opportunities for students to assess their own level of wellness,” he said.

Students can find out the schedule of events and other information about Wellness Week by visiting the Counseling Center in the lower level of McKinzie Hall, Room 3D, or by visiting the Wellness Week Web site, www. acu.edu/wellnessweek.

In its seventh year of operation, Wellness Week has grown into an important week for students and faculty on campus, Rowlands said, adding “it’s a great way to market opportunities that are available to students in the Counseling Center.

E-mail Knutz at: optimist@acu.edu

God’s design in all people, the glory in being different colors and different races,” Stevens said.

Members of ISA hope to build on the success of previous shows.

“We’re looking forward to going beyond expectations,” said Marcela Gutierrez, coproducer of the show.

“Hopefully it’ll be something different, something new, but at the same time, something the audience will still enjoy,” said Gutierrez, senior business management major from Honduras.

Modenessy, senior business management major from Honduras, said ISA hopes to involve the audience more in the show this year. He said that the past few years have been more serious, but they are hoping to add more humorous parts this year.

Members of ISA all said they hope audience members will be inspired as well as entertained by the show.

“Come and be ready to be challenged,” Stevens said.

E-mail Anderson at: optimist@acu.edu

The taste of originality

EMERALD McGOWAN/Staff Photographer

JP Miller, sophomore marketing major at the University of Texas in Austin, gives a free Diet Dr Pepper to Emilee Schwanke, freshman accounting major from Arlington, while Myranda Fontenot, senior psychology major from Tyler, looks on. Miller works for Trilogy Marketing, a company doing a college football campaign to raise brand awareness for Dr Pepper.

Artists perform live throughout year n The Music Department kicks off the Centennial year with two Guest Artist Series, welcoming professional singers, pianists, instrumentalists and alumni.

By AARON BALLARD Staff Writer

Mezzo-soprano Helen Tintes-Schuermann performed Mon­­day in the second concert of the Centennial Guest Artist Series. The performance was at 8 p.m. in the William Performing Arts Center’s recital hall. Music faculty member Cheryl Lemmons accompanied Tintes-Schuermann on the piano.

The concert featured works

by Gluck, Rachmaninoff and Manuel de Falla, as well as a selection of spirituals and Southern folk songs. However, because Tintes-Schuermann was ill, her planned operatic duets with Samuel Cook, voice professor, were cut from the performance. For this reason, it lasted a little less than an hour.

“Ms. Tintes-Schuermann was im­­pressed with the recital hall, and she really enjoyed working with ACU music faculty Cheryl Lemmons and Samuel Cook,” said Dr. Greg Straughn, chair of the Department of Music.

Although not as many people attended the concert as the first concert in the series,

there was still “an excellent audience with a large number of people attending from all three universities, as well as the community,” Straughn said.

The Centennial Guest Artist Series began Sept. 1 with a performance from the Grammy-nominated pianist Petronel Malan of South Africa.

“Ms. Malan’s concert was a resounding success,” Straughn said. “I can’t think of a better way to have begun the Centennial Artist Series.”

The performance lasted almost two hours, and featured a number of works from Malan’s upcoming album. Following the concert, she interacted with students and friends for an hour and a half, signing posters and CDs. “I think she enjoyed the whole experience very much,” Straughn said.

The five-concert Guest Artist Series, which brings nationally and internationally known musicians to campus to perform in solo and small ensemble concerts, began in the fall of 2003, the first academic year the new building was used.

“The series was designed to allow music students to hear and see performances of the highest level as an inspiration to achieve higher personal goals,” Straughn said.

All the concerts begin at

8 p.m. in the recital hall and are free and open to the public. However, tickets should be reserved in advance to secure a seat.

“Because the series is completely underwritten by the Music Department, it is our gift to the Abilene community,” Straughn said. “Anyone who loves great music in a live performance setting is welcome to attend.”

The next performance in the series is planned for Nov.7 and will feature several of ACU’s alumni musicians. The husband and wife piano duo of Du Huang and Xiao Hu will perform Jan. 26, followed by the So Percussion ensemble on Feb. 24.

“Guest artists are chosen by a committee of music faculty to try and represent the greatest variety of performers over a multiyear span,” Straughn said. “We try to have as many different kinds of artists as possible.

“Hearing great music performed by great artists live and in person is a magical experience wherever and whenever it happens,” Straughn said. “This is a chance to hear music that would otherwise not be available in Abilene.

You will be stretched and entertained, but you won’t be disappointed.”

E-mail Ballard at: agb04b@acu.edu

CAMPUS NEWS

Friday, September 30, 2005

Page 5

New club plans to serve, enjoy outdoors n The Outdoor Club will train, take trips and camp, but leaders also want to serve nature by taking care of it and teaching others its importance.

By BRIAN SCHMIDT Chief Photographer

Eighteen ACU students began their Saturday early, about 25 miles outside of town, removing vines from trees in Abilene State Park.

This project was the official beginning of the university’s newest club, the Outdoor Club, which focuses not only on enjoying the outdoors but also taking care of it.

Dusty Vaughn, senior biology major from Nashville and founding member, said the club is rare, especially with its strong service focus.

“The purpose of the outdoor club is to promote outdoor knowledge, ethics and service, so we’re much more than your typical ‘go out and go camping every weekend’ outdoor club. We really

want to bring a service emphasis and a Christian emphasis into it,” he said. “We want to teach people skills and the importance of the outdoors as well as discuss ethical issues of use and things like that, and then go out and serve or just go out and have fun.”

Vaughn is one of six founding members who look to expand the club to its full potential quickly, and in the process, help students, faculty and staff enjoy the outdoors and better understand the outdoor world around them.

“It’s important to realize that we are connected to the natural world, we can never be outside of that; nature is always going to be stronger than what we can build, what we can do,” Vaughn said. “I think we can find a lot of spirituality in the outdoors, we can find ourselves, our soul in the outdoors. But most importantly, the earth is what supports us and we need to

learn how to take care of it properly and preserve it for future generations.”

The club’s first event was indicative of its service emphasis as it brought a group to Abilene State Park to clear away non-native vines that were overtaking the surrounding trees, limiting their growth.

The club currently has only the six founding members but took along several potential members on the first activity as a way

the club, especially after the project Saturday, because of his love for the outdoors.

Miles said he believes that along with enjoying God’s creation comes the responsibility of taking care of it.

“I think we have an obligation, a duty to it and not just as Christians but as humans, to take care of the world and that’s one of the top things to do on my list of priorities,” he said.

During the summer, Vaughn brainstormed with

“Nature is always going to be stronger than what we can build, what we can do.”

Dusty Vaughn, senior biology major from Nashville

to introduce them to the club, hoping several would decide to join. Mike Miles, freshman youth and family ministry major from Ann Arbor, Mich., was one of those prospective members and said he is interested in

fellow founder Brett Deaton and was able to start the club started within a couple weeks after returning to campus.

Vaughn said he originally got the idea after working with national organizations

the past two summers, such as the American Hiking Society. He said he knows of many students who have a passion for the outdoors and hopes this club will help to bring them together and spread that passion around campus.

Dr. Jim Cooke, professor of environmental science and the adviser of the club, said his biggest concern is that the club’s leadership is comprised mainly of upperclassmen, leading to a possible fall-off.

“I’d like to see something like this continue, but the only way that it will continue is for it to be passed down to younger students; there have to be people who will carry the torch after the first leadership group leaves,” he said. “So there is a big push to try to bring in freshmen, sophomores, juniors into the program and to provide for them a sense of ownership in the program and opportunities to contribute.”

Vaughn said members don’t need to have any previous experience with outdoor activities, just a passion for nature and the desire to serve in it and enjoy it.

“We’re going to train people how to go on trips, and we’re going to get smaller groups organized and help them find the resources, get the gear and whatever else they need to go and do these trips,” he said.

Founding members said what the club is and does will depend on its members, who can use the club however they want, as the only requirements are to pay the annual $10 dues and to attend at least one event.

The club is open to anyone and will accept members at anytime throughout the year. Those interested can contact Vaughn at gdv02a@acu.edu or visit the club’s Web site at www. acu.edu/outdoorclub.

E-mail Schmidt at: bms02e@acu.edu

More campaign leaders needed to fill all positions n Spring Break Campaign committee received fewer applications this year, leading them to extend the deadline and consider cancelling locations.

By EMERALD McGOWAN Student Reporter

Some locations for Spring Break Campaigns could be cancelled because of a low number of student leaders.

A normal year has 70 to 80 applicants, said Eric Hurst, senior accounting and finance major from Garland and chair of the

Spring Break Campaigns committee. The committee chooses 60 to 70 leaders and divides them between 30 to 35 campaigns.

This year, with only 50 leader applicants, the committee could be unable to send students to some locations, Hurst said.

“My concern for Spring Break Campaigns this year is the limited numbers,” he said. “I feel like we have good applicants so far, but I’m hoping a few more will come through for us.”

Hurst said he had no

idea as why fewer student leaders have applied this year.

Students who wish to be a Spring Break Campaign leader should be a full-time student of at least sophomore standing and must attend the university during both the fall and spring semesters.

They cannot be on any kind of probation and are preferred to have a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

To apply, students first fill out a formal application, including two refer-

ences and a brief personality profile, Hurst said.

Applicants then attend interviews with the committee, so the committee is certain applicants have the qualifications to lead a campaign.

The deadline for formal applications was Sept. 24, but Hurst said because of the need for student leaders, any student still interested could contact him at edh02a@acu.edu.

Jodi Bishop, senior history major from Glen Rose, led two spring break

campaigns in the past and applied again this semester.

“Spring Break Campaigns are important and special because they allow students to get out of their comfort zones and serve in a safe environment surrounded by their peers,” Bishop said. “It’s a precious opportunity to see God work in the lives of students and of those they are serving.”

Bishop said she wants to lead a campaign to the Gulf Coast area, because

she has already worked with hurricane refugees in Texas, but she said she will go where the committee sends her.

“Regardless of the location I lead a campaign to, seeing the plans I’ve made come together and the people I’m leading change is amazing,” she said.

“God does so much in campaigns, so much more than you can imagine or plan or prepare for.”

E-mail McGowan at: optimist@acu.edu

ViewsFriday Optimist

Page 6

September 30, 2005

Intramural fees–more to it than you think The issue:

Some students complain about payments required from all intramural participants; however, they complain without knowing the whole story.

Our view:

The Intramural Office will still need the same amount of money to operate whether all students pay a small fee or those that participate pay a bigger fee.

The solution:

Students should learn about the intramural payment system before deciding they are paying too much.

Sometimes, just looking at the numbers doesn’t tell the whole story.

Students can easily look at the cost for an intramural team at ACU and the cost for a team at another university and believe it costs more to play intramurals here than anywhere else.

The Students’ Association did this very thing last week at its meeting when members saw that some universities charge no more than a $50 for a flag football team, but ACU charges $225. On the surface the numbers don’t seem to add up, and in the interest of students, Congress decided to look into the situation further.

However, as Congress has

Leaving Chapel early uncalled for I’ll admit it: Today I left dividuals who seem to feel Chapel early. the need to make their leavI stood up during what ing Chapel early known by I thought would be the last all around them. Those that song, walked insist on carrying on a full down the cell phone conversation in steps and the stair wells of Moody, not out into the 15 feet from where people c o n c o u r s e are trying to worship. Those area. so intent on not standing in I did it a line that they can’t realize Wednesday their voice travels back into too; in fact, Moody and disturbs those I’ve essen- trying to pray.

Ask the tially done These people give those Question this every of us who have legitimate Jonathan Wednesday reasons for leaving early and Friday and can do so respectfully a Smith for the past bad name. Believe it or not, two years. some of us do have reasons Not because I don’t like for leaving early other than praise days or certain speak- avoiding a line at the Fatted ers, but, as a member of the Cafe.

Optimist staff, I and about Perhaps these people eight others leave early to de- think leaving Chapel early is liver you the news. We gather giving them good experience in the concourse area during for life after college. the last couple minutes of I’m sure your boss won’t Chapel and wait—but we’re mind in a couple years if you not the only ones. stood up and walked out of Hundreds around the coli- a business meeting early beseum wait huddled around cause it was getting a little the card readers for the final too close to lunch time or a amen or the friend calls last chorus. you wanting Some of us do have to chat.

Then cards start frantiOr the athreasons for leaving cally swipletes aspiring early other than ing and stuto play their avoiding a line at dents are out sports profesthe door for sionally, I’m the Fatted Cafe. work, aftersure your funoon naps ture coaches or their lunches before the won’t mind you walking out main crowd hits the stairs. of the locker room if his For some people, on some postgame speech starts to days, leaving Chapel early run a little too long. might be the best option evAfter all, having to stand ery now and then. in a line is a horrible price to And, just like those who pay for an extra two minutes choose not to come to Cha- in your Chapel seat, espepel some days, if you find an cially when there are friends appropriate time to quietly to hang out with and lunch leave Moody, that will be a to eat. decision that only affects But know this: Expect far you. Maybe you even quietly worse than a lecture from wait by an exit for Chapel Dean Barnard if you make to end or participate in the that a habit after leaving this closing song or prayer as university. you wait to slide your card.

These decisions still only affect you.

E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu Then there are those in-

discovered Students should investigate the facts before certain. with investiAnd although complaining about the costs or condemning $225 gation, those might sound a system they don’t fully understand. n u m b e r s steep for a flag alone do not football team, a tell the whole story. in all students’ fees. Out of player on a team of 15 would Many other schools in- several similarly sized uni- pay only $15 for four regular clude an intramural fee versities he researched, Kit- season games and one guarwithin their student activ- tley said ACU is the only anteed playoff game, with ity fees. Some schools fund one that funds intramurals the potential for several their intramural offices solely through team fees. As more. Kittley said each sport through their operating bud- recently as two years ago, is priced so that individual get, which could come out Kittley suggested this to the students pay no about $15 of student tuition. ACU does administration, which did on average for team sports, neither. Danny Kittley, direc- not accept his proposal. and individual sports cost tor of the intramural sports, Regardless of how the $10. said intramurals are run money for intramurals is That is not a significant solely on money received collected, the office will still burden to bear for those trufrom the fees each team need the same amount to ly interested in participating pays. operate because of the costs in a sport that will last sevKittley said he has sug- of equipment, maintenance eral weeks. gested the university begin of fields and providing staff Regardless, this is a good including an intramural fee for each game. That much is debate to have. The Stu-

dents’ Association should meet with Kittley to determine which method of funding intramurals will best benefit students. If increasing the student activity fee to fund intramurals will benefit the Intramural Office and students better, Congress should encourage the university’s administration to make that change. The administration, after all, will be the group with the power to make such a change.

But in this debate, fee totals tell only part of the story. That is why students should investigate and learn the facts before complaining about the costs or condemning a system they might not fully understand.

Cole Williams

Let Loose

Music is from God, degraded by humans My second year to attend Austin City Limits music festival, I knew what to expect atmospherically—varieties of interesting people, the meshing of sounds from stage to stage, long walks, hot sun, pungent marijuana odors, Don’t Believe scantily clad middle-aged the Hype women and, Mitch last but not Holt least, exceptional music.

Sunday I spent the entire day at this festival in Austin with my brother.

We stood all day in 100plus-degree weather and watched some of my favorite bands. Some of the bands I saw were Wilco, The Decemberists, Eisley, Franz Ferdinand, The Arcade Fire, Jason Mraz and, my favorite of the day, Coldplay.

Our creator inspires hip-hop, our creator inspires country, our creator inspires indierock; however, our nature inspires vulgarity.

And this was just Sunday’s line up.

To see Coldplay on a normal day, it costs between $40 and $80, but to see the entire list of aforementioned bands and more, it costs a flat $45 for a full day of music—that, by far, is the greatest part of the experience.

This festival provides the opportunity to see quality bands that musically hit the spot for anyone that likes good music for unbeatable prices in the greatest city in Texas.

During the festival, I learned three important lessons: Bring a gas mask or a doctor’s mask if you don’t like unnatural odors. Whether you want it for the dust that is kicked up from 60,000 people

walking on it all day and creating black snot in your nose, or for the variety of body odors and secondhand bong smoke, if you aren’t used to things like this, bring a mask.

I’m a fairly tough guy, so I wasn’t really affected in these areas—just giving you a heads up.

Second, go with someone whom you enjoy being around. I went with my brother because he bought me a ticket for my birthday, and I wouldn’t have traded companions for anyone (except, of course, Lindsay Lohan).

Experiencing a spectacle like ACL with a best friend rivals a weekend of watching The OC. And the last thing I learned: Music is the single greatest form of God-given personal expression ever created. Few

things on this earth rival a resounding chorus, unexpected bridge or a great band covering Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash, let alone if Cash rose from the dead and played it himself. I believe every form of music is God-inspired.

Some might think about the cussword-laced lyrics or the sexuality in songs on the radio. My answer to this is that inappropriateness in music is humankind’s contribution (or degradation) to the gift of musical expression from God. Our creator inspires hiphop, our creator inspires country, our creator inspires indie-rock; however, our sinful natures inspire indecency and vulgarity.

I learned at ACL that a great band is a breath of fresh air, but a great band that aspires for positiveness as much as musicality is a diamond in the rough.

E-mail Holt at: mah02f@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu

Fifth year students say Bean Sprout is on the decline Your Voice Letter to the editor about service and food in the Bean Sprout. Students say the Sprout has gotten worse throughout the years.

After serving 4.5 years at ACU, we are simply appalled at the level which the Bean Sprout has dropped to. The menu only contains three options: beef, chicken, or salad.

We recall a time when the Bean Sprout was the place to be; a great option to the mo-

notony of the World Famous Bean. However, that was also probably a time when it took less than an hour to order and receive your food.

This evening, we placed our order for the food at the Sprout—food we didn’t get to enjoy until 6:53 p.m. We could

Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university.

The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing personal

attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy.

Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published.

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

have gone to United, bought the ingredients, and cooked it ourselves by that time.

There were only 4 people ordering food, and the meals cost us $7.29 each. That, we believe, is the reason the Bean Sprout has fallen from its once excellent service—when they

Optimist the

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would bring the food out to you, and it was still hot when you got it.

If the Bean Sprout is going to continue, some serious exploration should be made to determine why it takes three people so stinking long to make a sandwich.

Ricky Cadden senior management and marketing major from North Richland Hills

Marcos Jenks senior psychology major from North Richland Hills

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Online: www.acuoptimist.com

September 30, 2005

Box Office Figures for the weekend of September 23-25, in millions. Total grosses in parenthesis.

1. Flightplan—$24.6 (new) 2. Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride—$19.7 (new) 3. Just Like Heaven— $9.6 ($29.8) 4. Roll Bounce—$7.6 (new) 5. The Exorcism of Emily Rose—$7.4 ($62.3) 6. Lord of War—$5 ($17.4) 7. The 40-Year-Old Virgin—$4.3 ($96.9) 8. The Constant Gardener—$2.3 ($27.7) 9. The Transporter 2—$2.2 ($39.9) 10. Cry Wolf—$2.2 ($7.5)

Today’s Movies Serenity (PG-13)— starring Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Summer Glau; written and directed by Joss Whedon.

The story, set about 500 years in the future, follows Captain Malcolm Reynolds, a hardened veteran from the losing side of a civil war, and his shipmates as they travel through space, pulling small-time crimes while harboring fugitives.

The fugitives—a young doctor and his unstable, telepathic sister—bring more to the ship than Mal bargained for. The eclectic crew is now on the run from the Feds and soon realize their greatest danger might be on board.

ArtsFriday Optimist

Page 7

Burton breathes life, love and style into ‘Corpse’ Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride PPP 1/2 n Starring the voices of Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson; directed by Tim Burton.

Rated PG (for some scary images and action, and brief mild language)

By DEE TRAVIS

Special Contributor

Clay animation has always held a special place in the hearts of Tim Burton and his fanbase. In 1982, when Burton produced Vincent, his directorial debut, the medium of stop-motion animation had been virtually dormant for years, employed only in the form of visual effects or children’s fare. Burton’s vision, however, was wonderfully dark and unique. Filmed in black and white, his six minute film about a young boy who idolizes Vincent Price (who provided the film’s narration) showed enormous promise and opened up a new world of potential for clay animation, which The Nightmare Before Christmas later explored with great style and success. Burton’s latest clayanimated work, Corpse Bride, follows in the tradition of Nightmare, but the greatest similarity shared by the two is their uniqueness. Corpse Bride is a work of art all on its own.

The story is set in 19th century Europe. Victor (Johnny Depp), a shy and introverted young man, finds himself betrothed to Victoria, a young aristocratic woman (Emily Watson). The marriage has been arranged by their parents who are thinking only of financial gain, but Victor becomes even

Ratings Key Excellent PPPP Good PPP Fair PP Poor P

more shy and intimidated after meeting Victoria and finding that he actually loves her.

In an effort to overcome his nervousness, Victor rehearses his marital vows in the moonlit forest, only to find that he is standing on a gravesite and has inadvertently proposed to a dead woman. Emily, the “corpse bride” (Helena Bonham Carter), whisks Victor away to the land of the dead, leaving him wondering what will come of his newfound marriage and whether he will ever return to fair Victoria’s side.

Whereas The Nightmare Before Christmas was fairly straightforward, Corpse Bride will hit various age groups at different levels. The 19th century setting of a society bound by unspoken formality feels a lot like Jane Austen, but the elements of class struggle are certain to soar above children’s heads. The film’s first act shows a glorious world existing mostly in shades of gray. Burton has built his career around this visual style (Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow), but Corpse Bride’s social satire reinforces the visuals in a way never seen before. It seems perfectly fitting for the drab concept of a passionless marriage to be joylessly painted.

Once the title character steals Victor away, however, vivid colors burst into view, for only in the land of the dead do bright colors exist. This aspect of the film reminds audiences why people fell in love

PHOTO COURTESY of www.rottentomatoes.com

Victor (left, voice of Johnny Depp) glances worringly at his unexpected new bride, (right, voice of Helena Bonham Carter), who happens to be dead in the new film Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, now playing. with Tim Burton’s work in the first place. It’s an apparently backwards idea that dark and macabre subject matter could provide color and meaning for a film, but Burton places this paradox at the heart of his work.

Fans of Tim Burton will recognize his various visual trademarks and will also be delighted at how the art of clay animation has furthered and developed. You can definitely tell that stop-motion is being used (which, in today’s world of computer graphics, is quite charming), but the characters have much more facial expression than they did in The Nightmare Before Christmas. These expressions make it much easier to connect with the characters early on, as well as compliment the vocal performances of the actors. The realm of the dead and the world of the living are glorious to behold; nothing about the setting seems real, and this helps offset the inherent absurdity of the story.

The animation is beautifully executed and will keep viewers of all ages adequately intrigued. While some scenes might be frightening for small children, nothing gets out of hand in regard to how death is portrayed. Every time I feared the story was straying too far for kids, it always managed to stay within the confines of family entertainment.

Like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride is a musical, although this aspect of the film could have been stronger. Only a handful of short numbers punctuate the film’s duration, and none of them are very memorable.

Danny Elfman’s compositions are always fitting and often brilliant, but Corpse Bride seems noncommittal, having one foot in the musical realm and the other foot out.

Probably everyone who saw Nightmare spent the next few weeks humming its memorable tunes, but Corpse Bride’s musical numbers, while appropriate, aren’t necessary.

Still, this film marks another successful venture for Tim Burton. It’s certainly not for everyone (by now, your probably know if it’s for you), but his fans have always appreciated his willingness to produce original art, much of which has little mainstream appeal.

If you’re wondering about all the references to The Nightmare Before Christmas, it’s because that film was a landmark achievement for Burton.

On paper, it was a movie made for no one; besides being the first full-length stop-motion animated film, it was a musical that was too dark for most children and too goofy for most adults. Burton made it, though, and his films continue to find their well-deserved following.

Corpse Bride is no different, presenting us with something that is fun and fresh, yet for fans of Tim Burton, strangely familiar.

E-mail Travis at: dxt02a@acu.edu

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Page 8

Friday, September 30, 2005

Bell: Student spends summer traveling the world Continued from page 1 Wheeler said this style of traveling on a low budget and not knowing where he is going keeps him coming back each summer.

“We have no plans, so much freedom and we can live on the edge,” he said. “We’re not locked into anything and, because we’re college students, we can find so many ways to enjoy ourselves with nothing.”

Wheeler said that both he and Bell grew up in smaller towns where friends from high school usually remained to work at the local drug store or bank. He said they both grew up thinking there was more to life.

He also explained that this life style is part of Bell’s personality.

“Aaron is extroverted and not held back by the limitations that most are,” Wheeler said.

“He’s a natural storyteller and always looking for a laugh.”

Both tell stories about their Central American adventure including these escapades: visiting an alligator farm in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, where the two were told to go catch their own alligators by climbing over a fence and chasing three to four foot alligators; touring a Chiquita banana plant in Panama; meeting the goal of living on a $3 per day budget, horseback riding through rivers and across the countryside and jumping off of 25-foot-high rope swings in Costa Rica into a creek with 70 other people.

Bell said the two visited seven different countries, not including their month-long journey through the United

States, and traveled through all countries in Central America except Belize.

The two stayed in each place anywhere from one day to a week, depending on the environment of the hostel and what the area offered.

Once the two took a wrong bus and ended up on the opposite side of Costa Rica in a town where no one had seen tourists before, Bell said. He said they stayed in the only hotel in town, where rats the size of puppies lived and where the sheets looked as though they had never been cleaned.

“We set up our tents on top of our beds so we could sleep somewhere, and every time we came into the room, we would flip on the light switch, chase the rats around while trying to catch it on video,” Bell said.

Other places left more favorable memories, like the outdoors of Costa Rica.

Their favorite place was the city of La Fortuna, Costa Rica, which was built around a volcano, Wheeler said.

He said the city had natural springs, waterfalls in junglelike locations and volcanoes everywhere and it was actionpacked.

It was also a city where most everything they could do was free, such as exploring the active volcanoes with guides, and swinging off of rope swings into rivers alongside waterfalls.

“If it was free, we did it,” Wheeler said. “That was our only limitation.”

The concept of doing things for free explains why they both love to hitchhike and backpack through Central America without money.

“People should hitchhike because it’s free and because it is a story,” Wheeler said. “The story you bring back is just as important as what you’re actually doing there.”

And so they travel to gather stories because it could be their future.

that we meet, one could help me in the future,” Wheeler said.

“Right now we’re just waiting and building our story banks.”

Both agree that becoming travel writers for a living will be hard to achieve, but think if others can dream of being rock stars, they can dream,

longings down in their room, when many of the others guests began cooking something.

“We followed our noses and asked how much it would be to eat whatever they were making,” Wheeler said.

The owner told them to let everyone who paid to eat first, and then they could eat the rest, which amounted to 12 fish tacos.

“It was amazing,” Bell said.

“They were fish and that was weird, but it was so good because we hadn’t had a meal for a while that we kept eating until it was gone.”

Unicycling through America

Kyle wheeler/Courtesy Photo

Aaron Bell, junior communication major from Van, holds an alligator he caught at an alligator farm in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, while backpacking through Central America this summer.

Both Bell and Wheeler said their dream jobs are to be adventure book writers, writing about their hitchhiking experiences across countries and continents. But they plan on taking different routes to get there.

Bell said he wants to be a high school public speech teacher when he graduates, so he can have the summers off to travel.

Wheeler, senior English major with a Spanish minor, wants to teach English as a second language to teenagers in a different country.

“Living there would introduce me to a network of people, who hopefully, out of all

too.

A story they like to tell is of the night they ate fish tacos.

The pair had been traveling in Panama for several days and had not eaten much in two days because they had to save money for a hostel, which cost $5, Bell said.

They were hungry and tired and had just reached their hostel for the evening, a dilapidated surf-style house with yellow plank wood, bamboo walls and surf boards everywhere.

Wheeler said four men ran the hostel but the owner was a friendly American who only wore a towel because it was his place, and he could.

They had just laid their be-

After a month of backpacking through Central America, the two arrived in Dallas, where they spent 12 hours washing clothes at Bell’s house, before they headed with family friends to a wedding in Toledo, Ohio. Besides attending the wedding, the two planned to attend the National Unicycle Convention two weeks later in Bowling Green, Ohio, just an hour away.

Instead of hanging out in one place, though, the two began to hitchhike to meet up with friends they had met the summer before during their journey through the United States.

They met friends in Bowling Green, Ohio and then hitchhiked to South Bend, Indiana, where they met up with a friend Bell had met the summer before. From there, they traveled to Michigan and met another hitchhiking friend, climbed sand dunes and swam in Lake Michigan. They then traveled to Chicago, Ill., and back to Bowl-

ing Green, Ohio for the National Unicycle Convention.

At the convention, Bell played unicycle hockey, basketball and musical unicycles, a spin off musical chairs.

After the convention, Bell hitchhiked to Detroit, Mich., and Wheeler left to hitchhike back to South Carolina. Then Bell headed to Toronto and Niagara Falls in Canada and then to Pittsburgh, Pa., to meet another friend and where he was photographed for a photo competition.

“My preferred method of travel is hitchhiking because it is free, and you meet a lot of people, and everyone is nice,” Bell said. He said he keeps a journal of his adventures and estimates he caught 20 rides while touring the United States this summer.

He said that hitchhiking has grown on his family, and his mom dropped him at an interstate rest stop for his first summer-long hitchhiking trip.

“People always make excuses for the summer, like they have to work or don’t have money, but you just have to make it happen,” Bell said.

He makes it work by sleeping at airports, networking with others he has met who will offer him a place to stay, buying day-old baked goods at donut shops, making lei necklaces out of hibiscus flowers and climbing coconut trees to gather coconuts for tourists and selling them on the streets “Really,” Bell said, “it’s all about dreams and making something of your life.”

E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu

Seussical: Scheduling challenges overcome

Shelters: Families return home

Continued from page 1

ly. Golden Chick, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Mr. Gatti’s also helped feed the families housed in the shelter, Barnard said. The families also spent a day at Frontier Texas and the Abilene Zoo; they also received free admission to a movie.

The G.V. Daniels shelter was temporary, and most

and rehearsals are going well.

The main drawback of the late change was the loss in research and development, he said; actors had less time to develop characters, designers had less time to plan scenery and costume changes and directors had less time to make casting choices.

“We feel we have overcome those obstacles and have chosen an exciting play that has been so much fun to do,” Hester said.

Hester said fitting everything in before Homecoming was a “scheduling challenge,” and actors rehearse six days and 26 hours a week.

While the actors wait for their entrances, Hester said they read the nearly 20 Dr. Seuss books that he brings to rehearsals.

“They’re in love with the show, the music and the themes that run through it,” Hester said. “We’re reminded what big things Dr. Seuss had to say to us as children and adults.”

The sets and costumes for the musical will reflect Dr. Seuss’ books in their imaginativeness and will be very colorful, Hester said.

Ticket sales for the musical are lower than usual, Hester said. He attributes the drop to a lack of advertising in ACU Today during the summer because the magazine was not published. Hester said the department recently began mailing out cards and running TV ads for the show.

“We expect a significant jump in sales in the near future,” Hester said.

E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu

Continued from page 1

of the families have moved on, as was the plan, Barnard said. Some of the evacuees have homes in Texas to return to, but others are evacuees from Hurricane Katrina and are still homeless.

Barnard said two families are living in University Park Apartments and others have moved to hotels or other housing.

Barnard said the need

for students at the shelter is winding down, and the best option for students to help evacuees is to donate money. Another collection in Chapel is possible, Barnard said, adding students should wait for further notice. Donations to the city may be dropped off at the United Way of Abilene office at 240 Cypress Street, whose fund supports the efforts of

the Salvation Army, the Red Cross and other local non profits providing services to the evacuees.

Barnard said he was constantly impressed with students’ attitude and willingness to work.

“They just knew what to do,” Barnard said. “They didn’t even have to be told.”

E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu

Spirit: SA hopes to increase student support Continued from page 1 dent organizations to adopt a certain sports team, Booker said. Sections of the Big Purple have adopted different positions on the football team and supported them by leaving cookies in their lockers and making posters, Booker said. She also said she hopes groups on campus can do the same for all of the university’s teams.

More participation will help the teams pull them-

selves together, Harshman said. Close games, like the men’s basketball team experienced last year, might have ended in ACU’s favor if students had been present and supported the team, Harshman said.

“I just wanted to create a boost for those guys out there who are playing their hardest,” Harshman said.

Support may be found outside the university, Harshman said, by reaching out to the local high

schools and inviting students. Harshman said he would love to invite local high school football players to university football games, and possibly using the experience as a means of recruiting.

“There are a lot of really great athletes that come out of Abilene,” Harshman said, “and I think I would be cool if they came to ACU.” Eight members of SA told him at the Wednesday meeting that they would be interested in joining the committee. Harshman said he is happy with this number,

though he hopes to have 10 to 15 members when the committee begins work.

Harshman said he hopes to plan the first half-time contest. Although much of this semester will be planned out in the upcoming athletics committee meeting, Harshman already has some goals for the school year.

“I’d like to get Moody at least as full as it is for Chapel for at least one of the games,” Harshman said.

E-mail Taylor at: tat04a@acu.edu

SPORTS JUMPS

Friday, September 30, 2005

Football: Wildcats prepare for SEOSU

Robarts: Back to old form Continued from page 10

Continued from page 10 tempo to raise confidence.

After a week where missed opportunities led to missed points, the Wildcats’ game in Durant will be an important test of character early in the season.

A loss puts the Wildcats at 2-2 in conference play with the beef of the schedule remaining.

However, a win will move the team to 3-1 in the conference.

The Wildcats next home game is Homecoming, which is at 2 p.m. Oct. 15 against West Texas A&M. E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Freshman Taber Minner tries to run by a Greyhounds defender during Saturday’s 33-30 loss to Eastern New Mexico State at Shotwell Stadium.

Meet: Bragging rights at stake Continued from page 10 the lead, or fall in and make it a strategic race,” Hood said. “I could see it going either way.

I’m hoping he takes control and is aggressive, but with the likes of what the Razorbacks have, it’s going to be interesting for the crowd and for the other athletes in the race.”

The only question mark on the men’s side might be senior Martin O’Kello, who ran a disappointing race last Saturday at the Great American Cross

Page 9

Country Festival and this week has suffered with pain in his wisdom teeth. Hood said he’s not too worried about the situation, however, because O’Kello is a senior and has overcome adversity before.

Hood also will take his full women’s team on the road for the first time all season.

He’s not worried about his trusty top-three athletes, Olha Kryv’yak, Trina Cox, and Adeh Mwamba, but he still hopes to see breakthrough races from his fourth through

seventh runners.

“We had some repeat miles on Monday, and I was really impressed at how they handled those,” Hood said of his women’s team. “That gave me an indication of our fitness level right now. They should be prepared – we’ve had some good weeks of training.”

The Cowboy Jamboree will kick off with the men’s race at 8 a.m., followed by the women’s race.

Thomsen came in to fill the shoes of Gary Gaines, who left last year to take the athletic director’s position at Ector County Independent School District.

Even with a first-game loss to Central Oklahoma, the Thomsen-led Wildcats showed promise, rebounding with two straight wins.

They’ve spread the offense, scored through the air, the ground and on special teams, and their overtime victory over Northeastern showed their never-quit attitude.

Before Saturday.

Saturday ACU had a chance to begin LSC South play with a 1-0 record and the confidence of a 3-1 start. D2football.com favored ACU going in their contest with Eastern New Mexico, but missed opportunities doomed the team to a 33-30 loss.

A dropped pass in the end zone on 3rd and goal, two missed extra points, a missed field goal, two-straight unsuccessful 4th-down conversions, and an overthrown Jerale Badon in the 4th quarter that would have given the Wildcats at least a 36-33 lead with 2:36 left to play, were among the plays that kept the Wildcats from winning.

With Eastern’s prolific running style, where up to four players were options to carry the ball on any given play, the team posted 249 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. And perhaps the best thing the Greyhounds did was refuse to let Danieal Manning beat them.

With every punt, Lee Scott literally turned to a 45-degree angle and punted each ball out of bounds to prevent last year’s nation’s leader in punt returns a chance to take the game into his own hands.

The one time he accidentally kept the ball in bounds, Manning picked it up at the two and Eastern’s defensive hero Tim Ojeda recorded a safety, which resulted in a 53yard touchdown run by Fide Davalos.

If this year is the year ACU will turn over a new leaf and jump the hurdle of 6-4 and 5-5 seasons, the team has really backed itself into a corner with a loss to a team that could have been avoided. Much like last year’s losses to Commerce on Homecoming and to Eastern, who beat the Wildcats by just a touchdown in 2004, even wins over No. 7 Tarleton and No. 2 Kingsville couldn’t dig ACU out of the hole.

Now with six games remaining, ACU plays its last

crossover game against Southeastern Oklahoma State Saturday before hitting the beef of the schedule with five straight South games to close the year.

Oct. 8 and Oct. 15 they’ll have to face the so-far unbeaten Angelo and West Texas before taking on nationally ranked Tarleton and Kingsville on the 22nd and 29th respectively. They’ll finish with Midwestern State on Nov. 5 where they can always expect a tough game.

On the up-side, ACU showed Saturday they can win without Manning having an all-American day. They were in the game. They could and should have won. The linebacker and defensive line play has been outstanding throughout the season, and with the exception of a few mistakes the Wildcat offense knows how to move the ball down the field averaging 354 yards per game and nearly 29 points.

If the team can cut down on mental mistakes and turnovers, they still have the tools to make a run for an LSC South title and a run at the playoffs, and it all starts Saturday.

E-mail Robarts at: kdr00c@acu.edu

E-mail Holt at: smh00a@acu.edu

Volleyball: St. Mary’s up next Continued from page 10 kept our mental intensity all the way through,” she said.

Horn pointed to the hitting percentage and errors in game two as the greatest evidence of the fall-off in intensity. The team hit .400 in the first game and .379 in the third, compared to .146 with eight errors in game two.

Lowry said she felt the team had fun during the game, which she said is something that drives the team and can determine how they play.

“You can honestly tell how we are going to play before a game,” she said. “If we are all

hyper and pumped up, you can tell we’re just going to go out and kill them, but if we’re not so enthusiastic, we’re going to have to work harder.”

Horn said she hopes the hard opening schedule has prepared the team for the toughness of conference play and will help to keep them focused throughout the season.

Lowry said she feels the team is improving game to game, and the national ranking and winning streaks don’t put too much pressure on them.

“Normally, you’d think it would make us nervous, but I just think it makes us so confident,” she said. “We expect to

win and that drives us to stay focused.”

The Wildcats will take a break from conference play as they host St. Mary’s University Friday at 7 p.m.

Lowry said that even though St. Mary’s is a non-conference game, it is still very important and the team will work hard to continue its home dominance.

“We’re still going to play our hearts out and kill them,” she said. “We still need this win for regional rankings; we can’t take anybody lightly, so we’re still going to go in and push.”

E-mail Schmidt at: bms02e@acu.edu

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Junior Danieal Manning runs after a catch in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against Eastern New Mexico.

Soccer: Students enjoy game Continued from page 10

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Freshman middle blocker Lauren Leone bumps the ball during Tuesday’s 3-0 win against Angelo State.

soccer teams in its athletic program, former high school soccer players and those who want competitive play, rely on club soccer. JB Gibbs, senior history education major from Abilene, has been in charge of the club team for the past two seasons, after he stopped playing football for ACU. “Since I quit football, I have had soccer.” Gibbs said This team gives those who want competitive play a chance to find what they are looking for, Gibbs said. Intramurals is another out to play soccer for fun, but offers nothing in comparison to club play.

In the past four years, the

unviersity had a men’s club soccer team off and on, but within the last two years the team have elevated in to a highly competitive team in its division. Last year could have been a building year for the soccer team. In the Lone Star North Division of the Texas Collate Soccer League the team went five for five in a not so impressive finish for the season. However, this year the team defeated the No. 4 ranked TCU, in the TCSL, which includes teams from Texas, Okla., Ark., and La., in its season opener 5 goals to 3.

Every season each player pays $350, which includes food, travel, jerseys and other expenses. This

also guarantees at least 10 games, with a chance for more if the team wins its division and moves on to the national tournament. Many reasons draw these payers to the team. For some, it is the level of play; for others, it is the love of the game, but for Gibbs it is a mixture of both along with a family affair with his brother Lucas Gibbs, sophomore pre-architecture major from Abilene, who joined the team last season.

“I like the fact it is competitive, and that I get to play with my bother like when we were growing up,” said Gibbs.

E-mail Hilton at: optimist@acu.edu

SportsFriday Optimist

Page 10

Win streak continues

Standings Football Team Angelo St. WTAMU Tarleton St. ENMU A&M-K ACU

Conf. Overall 3-0 5-0 3-0 5-0 3-0 4-0 3-1 3-2 2-1 3-1 2-1 2-2

Volleyball Team Div. ACU

3-0 Angelo St. 1-2 TAMU-K 1-1 WTAMU 0-0 ENMU

0-0 Tarleton St. 0-2

September 30, 2005

Overall 13-3 8-9 5-11 13-6 3-8 8-6

Scores Saturday

Volleyball ACU 3, Tarleton State 0

n The Wildcats improved their winning streak to 13 with a win over Angelo State on Tuesday night in Moody Coliseum.

By BRIAN SCHMIDT Chief Photographer

The 14th ranked Wildcats continued their domination at home as they swept conference rival Angelo State on Tuesday. However, the way the team dominated was different from past games, as several of the younger players stepped up for a big game.

Three underclassmen led the team in five major statistical categories: sophomore Abbie Lowry led with

Volleyball 10 kills, sophomore Liz Snoddy had 11 digs, and three service aces, and freshman Lauren Leone led in both solo blocks, with two, and hitting percentage with .625.

Horn said she felt the team had a strong showing in games one and three but dropped off its intensity during the second game.

“We didn’t struggle, look at the score, but at the same time, that could have been a 15 instead of 23 if we had See

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Volleyball page 9

Seniors Lindsey Martin and Amanda Slate go for the block in Tuesday’s win against Angelo State.

Wildcats need win against Savages n The Wildcats take on the Southeastern Oklahoma State Savages on Saturday trying to improve their conference record to 3-1 after last week’s loss.

Football Eastern New Mexico 33, ACU 30

Tuesday

Volleyball ACU 3, Angelo St., 0

By JARED FIELDS Sports Editor

Upcoming Schedule Friday

Volleyball ACU vs. St. Mary’s, 7 p.m.

Tennis Women, Red Raider Invitational, 11 a.m.

Women, Kentucky Fall Invitational, 11 a.m.

Saturday

Football ACU at Southeastern Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m.

Cross country OSU Cowboy Jamboree, 11 a.m.

Tennis Women, Red Raider Invitational, 11 a.m.

Women, Kentucky Fall Invitational, 11 a.m.

• Home games listed in italics

Statistics Volleyball-Season

Kills

Michelle Bernhardt 260 Amanda Slate 219 Ashlee Motola 178 Abbie Lowry 173 Lauren Leone 52

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Freshman Billy Malone directs freshman running back Taber Minner to block a defender during Saturday’s game.

Club soccer only choice for students n Many students who played soccer in high school get an opportunity to play competitively on the ACU club soccer team against other schools’ club teams.

By BRADY HILTON Student Reporter

Club soccer at the college level seems to be the only way for competitive soccer addicts to get their fix at the university.

“I play for the love of the game,” said Clay Stansell, sophomore business marketing major from Abilene. “And

The Wildcats look to get back on track Saturday as they play Southeastern Oklahoma State in their final Lone Star Conference crossover game of the year.

The Savages go into Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. match up with a 2-2 record, and are they are 1-2 in conference play.

Despite the Savages’ mediocre record, head coach Chris Thomsen said it will not be an average team.

“They’re as tough or tougher than anyone we’ve played,” Thomsen said. “I think all their personnel’s really good.”

In last week’s 35-3 win against Panhandle State, Savages linebacker Chris Hendricks recorded 18 total tackles, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and two sacks to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors from d2football.com.

The Savages’ defense is strong all around, Thomsen said. After four games, the defense is third in the LSC in scoring defense, allowing just 16.5 points a game.

“They play really hard,” Thomsen said. “They’re going to force you to be balanced, throw the ball some, and they’re good at what

ACU has no soccer team.”

The ACU club soccer team has one win under its belt for the season and another game at 7 p.m. Friday at Abilene National Soccer Complex at 3025 Maple Street. This year, 16 men from the team will play club teams from schools such as Tarleton State, University of Texas at Arlington and Texas Christian University.

Since the university has no

SOCCER page 9

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Senior Casper Steenkamp won the ITA Central Regional Singles Tournament and advances to nationals in Florida.

Cowboy Jamboree next for cross country teams n Oklahoma State hosts the Cowboy Jamboree on Saturday, and the ACU men’s and women’s team will run with some of the best runners in the country.

By STEVE HOLT Sports Writer

If the ACU men’s cross country team competes with opposing runners like they have been competing with each other, Saturday’s Oklahoma State Cowboy Cross Country Jamboree could go very well for the Wildcats.

The top men’s runners fought it out Monday during a tough, hot practice, completing five repeat miles in or under five minutes per mile.

Cross Country Head coach Derek Hood said freshman standout Philip Birgen beat out his teammates every mile except on the final one, in which defending national champion Nicodemus Naimadu hammered out a 4:52 mile to beat the rest of the team. Hood said the last two weeks of training have demonstrated to him that his athletes are ready to face the best Division I competition in the nation, which they will get Saturday in Stillwater, Okla.

The field of teams will include the University of Arkansas, the top-ranked Division I team in the land. In 2000,

the Wildcats defeated the eventual national champions twice during the season, and they have all the ingredients to do it Saturday.

“To be honest, I hope we have similar results [as last weekend],” Hood said. “It’s going to be another top-level competition. There’s going to be some elite schools there.

Arkansas is going to be there; It really doesn’t get any better than that.”

Besides Arkansas, notable teams participating in Saturday’s race will include Tulsa, Syracuse, Rice, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Oral Roberts and Harding.

Though Birgen seemed to dominate Monday’s practice,

the runner to watch at the meets is always Naimadu.

Hood is looking forward to seeing how he fares against the top athletes in the nation, including defending meet champion Josephat Boit of Arkansas.

Hood said Naimadu told him at the beginning of the season he wanted to run against the best, and Saturday will be a good test for the Kenyan sophomore. After winning rather easily the last two meets, Hood said he believes Naimadu may need to change things up against the Razorback stars.

“He’s going to have to take See

Meet page 9

they do.”

Southeastern’s offense is also balanced, although the Savages will throw the ball more than run. Last week for the Savages, wide receiver Derek Hixon caught seven passes for 108 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Justin Pitrucha completed 19 of 33 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns.

“We’ll try to get them in third and long and blitz them,” Thomsen said about going against the Savages’ offense.

Senior defensive end Mark Malunowe said the Wildcats will have four defensive linemen for this game to try to get some pressure on the Savages’ offense.

“We’ll run some four man front,” Thomsen said. We’ve got some more D-linemen back; it’s more of our personnel than anything.”

Malunowe has been battling a shoulder injury this year and has been playing a limited amount, but is expecting a more active role this week.

Junior offensive lineman Devorias Jackson is listed as being day-to-day after suffering a neck strain and being carted off the field during Saturday’s game against Eastern New Mexico.

In practice this week, Thomsen said the team has been going against each other more and working on See

Football page 9

Playoff drought needs to end soon

Swinging for Florida

Club Soccer

See

Football

Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree Teams participating in the Cowboy Jamboree include: •ACU •Harding •Kansas State •Oklahoma State •Oral Roberts •Rice •South Plains •Syracuse •Texas A&M •Arkansas •Tulsa The Oklahoma State Cowboy Cross Country Jamboree begins at 8 a.m., for the men, with the women running immediately after.

The last four years of ACU football and the first four games of the 2005 season have been an attempt at reviving the prominence the program showed in the late 1970s.

The playoff drought now stands at 27 years, and other Kyle’s than the 1993 Column season led by 27-year old Kyle quarterback Robarts Rex Lamberti, who led the team to a 7-3 record, the past four seasons have been the closest the program has come to regaining a playoff team status.

As tough as the Lone Star Conference South Division has been lately, its difficulty has reached a new height this season with No. 17 Tarleton State (4-0, 0-0) moving to the South, Angelo State and West Texas A&M with 5-0 starts, and Texas A&M-Kingsville, who before this week’s lost to WTAMU, was No. 2 in the nation.

First-year head coach Chris See

Robarts page 9